Addressing machine having radially movable imprinting means



l 1963 R. c. SHERIFF 3,401,627

ADDRESSING MACHINE HAVING RADIALLY MOVABLE IMPRINTING MEANS Filed Jan. 4, 1967 5 SheetSSheet 1 Sept. 17, 1968 R. c. SHERIFF 3,401,627

ADDRESSING MACHINE HAVING RADIALLY MOVABLE IMPRINTING MEANS Filed Jan. 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 .Tnz/ntor: Robert C. Sheriff Sept. 17, 1968 R. c. SHERIFF ADDRESSING MACHINE HAVING RADIALLY MOVABLE IMPRINTING MEANS 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan.

jnzfenior Robert C. Sheriff United States Patent 3,401,627 ADDRESSING MACHINE HAVING RADIALLY MOVABLE IMPRINTING MEANS Robert C. Sheriff, Round Lake, Ill., assignor to Cheshire Incorporated, a corporation of Illinois Filed Jan. 4, 1967, Ser. No. 607,220 3 Claims. (Cl. 10152) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE erate to control the radial movement of the radially movable member so that the imprinting means imprints indicia on the articles.

This invention relates to an apparatus which imprints indicia on articles, and it particularly relates to an apparatus for imprinting a code or the like on mailing pieces moving consecutively in a path of travel.

In mailing large quantities of articles such as catalogs, advertising materials, questionnaires, and the like, it is common to perform the mailings by use of modern equipment which completes the mailings in a relatively short period of time. One of the essential pieces of equipment used in these modern mailing techniques is a high speed addressing machine which places the address upon the envelopes, catalogs, or the like. The articles are commonly addressed at high rates of speed, such as 15,000 mailing pieces per hour. The addresses are placed upon the mailing pieces generally either by the use of labels or by transferring an address from a label to the mailing piece by the use of heat and pressure.

Under some circumstances, it is desirable to place additional information upon the mailing piece. One such instance is where the sender desires to imprint its name on the mailing piece. In other instances, it is desirable to imprint a code upon the mailing piece. As an example, it is desirable to imprint a code upon each mailing piece, when the sender seeks to determine the response that a particular solicitation by mail has. Therefore, some marking, as letters or numbers, is imprinted upon the mailing piece so that when the receiver returns a reply card or the like, the sender knows that the response is due to a certain mailing.

Although it would be possible to program the return address or the code into a computer, along with the mailing list, to print out the code, this is often quite inconvenient and relatively costly. Therefore, it is common to utilize additional equipment with addressing machines for placing the code or imprinting the address upon the mailing piece; the code or imprinting address is manually changed by an operator when this is necessary. One disadvantage of such additional equipment is that the imprinting or coding apparatus must be timed exactly with the .addressing machine so that the imprinting is performed uniformly on each of the mailing pieces at the appropriate place. Further significant disadvantages are that the known equipment is generally quite bulky, complex, and expensive.

It is therefore an important object of this invention to provide an improved imprinting device which substantial- 1y avoids the disadvantages of prior art imprinting devices.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an improved imprinting device which is characterized by "ice its simplicity and economy in construction, manufacture, and use.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an imprinting apparatus which is mounted on the addressing wheel which is commonly used for applying addresses in high speed addressing machines.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved code imprinting device mounted directly upon the rotary vacuum wheel of an addressing machine for efiicient and uniform application of a code to each mailing piece of a continuously moving series of uniformly spaced mailing pieces.

Further purposes and objects of this invention will appear as the specification proceeds.

A particular embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of the imprinting device of the invention in place on an addressing machine;

FIGURE 2 is a view taken along the line 2--2 of FIG- URE 3 showing the imprinting device as mounted upon a rotary vacuum wheel of an addressing machine;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a view taken along the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is a front elevational view of the ink roller used for applying ink to the imprinting device shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view of the inking roller apparatus taken along the line 7-7 of FIGURE 6; and

FIGURE 8 is a plan view of an envelope having an address with a code imprinted thereon.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIGURE 1, a conveyor generally, 10, moves articles 12 for having addresses placed thereon. Positioned over the conveyor 10 is an addressing machine, generally 14. The addressing machine 14 and the conveyor 10 are not shown in detail since these structures are well known and are specifically of the type shown in US. patent application Ser. No. 342,436, filed Feb. 4, 1964, now Patent No. 3,341,390. The conveyor 10 moves the mailing pieces 12 at a rate of speed which is timed in with the peripheral speed of a rotary addressing wheel or head 16, mounted on the shaft .18 on the addressing machine 14.

The addressing machine 14 is provided with apparatus, generally 20, for serving a form pack (not shown) having addresses printed thereon into discrete labels. Such form packs generally have four or five addresses across the width. The serving apparatus first severs the form into transverse elongated strip of four or five addresses across and these are then cut by the apparatus 20 into discrete labels as they are moved longitudinally along a track 22 by the severing apparatus 20. As the elongated strip is moved along the track position 22, it is cut into discrete labels 24 by a rotary knife or the like (not shown). The cut labels 24 are then placed upon the raised label receiving portions 26 of the rotary wheel 16.

As conventional in these high speed addressing machines, the rotary wheel 16 moves at the same peripheral speed as the conveyor 10 so that an address is applied from the label 24 to a mailing piece 12. An address may be .applied from the label either by heat transfer techniques or by applying glue to the label and then applying it to the label piece. In the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1, a gluing apparatus, generally 28, is provided for applying glue to the label. A glue container 30 is turned upside down and glue flows in a trough 32 which is mounted on the addressing machine 14. A rotary glue wheel 34 picks up glue contained within the trough 32 and applies it to the underside of the label 24, held by vacuum to the a view taken along the line 5-5 of raised portion 26 of the rotary head 16. Alternatively, the address is applied from the label 24 to the mailing piece 12 by means of heat and pressure. The raised portions 26 on the rotary head 16 are heated by suitable heating means (not shown) so as to heat the reverse image on the label 24 and imprint the same on the mailing piece 12.

The code imprinting device 36 which is the subject of this invention is shown in detail in FIGURES 2-5. In the particular embodiments shown in the drawings, two code imprinters 36 are shown in position adjacent the two raised portions 26 on the rotary head 16. It is an important feature that the code imprinters 36 are mounted directly on the rotary addressing head 16 to provide for the desired simplicity of the device.

As shown in FIGURE 3, the shaft 18 is rotatably carried by the addressing machine frame 38 by a ball bearing member 40 in the frame 38. Each raised portion 26 on the rotary head 16 is in the form of a segment of an annulus and is sealably secured to the outer periphery of the rotary head 16 at diametrically opposite positions. Vacuum openings (not shown) are provided in the outer periphery of the raised portions 26 in order that vacuum may be applied to each label 24 to hold them to the raised portion 26. A cover plate 42 is fixedly mounted over the outer face 43 of the central hub portion 44 of the rotary head 16. Thecover plate 42 is sealed to the outer face 43 so that a vacuum may be brought in through an inlet 46 provided in the cover plate 42 to the interior of the rotary head 16, vacuum passes from the inlet 46 to transverse vacuum channels 48 in the outer face of the hub 44 and these communicate with radial channels 50 having outer end portions which communicate with the channels (not shown) leading to the openings in the outer periphery of each raised portion 26. Adjustable valve members 54 transversely positioned in the outer face of the rotary head 16 adjust the amount of vacuum which is supplied to the openings in the outer face of the raised portion 26. The valve members 54 are adjustable to provide the desired amount of vacuum.

Although two code imprinters 36 are shown, it is necessary only to describe one of the imprinters 36 since they are precisely of the same construction. The code imprinter 36 is placed in close circumferential proximity to the raised portion 26 so that a code may be imprinted upon a mailing piece 12 in close proximity to the address which is applied to the mailing piece 12. The code imprinter 36 is movable in a substantially radial direction within the rotary head 16. An imprinting support member 56 has an outer peripheral arcuate face 58 upon which an imprinting pad 60 is held by suitable means, as by an adhesive. The support 56 includes an outer portion 62 and an inner guide portion 64 which is slidably received by the rotary head 16. A channel or guide portion 72 is defined in the head 16 by a cut out grooved portion 66 therein and by a cover plate 68 which is mounted securely on the inner surface of the rotary member 16 and over the grooved portion 66. The plate member 68 is secured to the rotary head 16 by screw members 70. The guide channel 72 from the inner guide portion 64 of the support member 56 is thusly defined between the face of the cut out portion 66, the two side walls of the cut out portion 66, and by the inner surface of the plate member 68. The support member 56 is thus enabled to move or slide in a radial reciprocal direction within the guide channel 72.

The support member 56 is prevented from moving out through the top of the guide channel 72 by a stud member 74 secured to its lower end. A radially elongated opening is provided in the outer annular face of the rotary head 16 to permit the passage of the stud 74 through'a transverse aperture 76 in the inner guide portion 64 of the support member 56. A peripheral groove 78 is provided centrally of the shank of the stud 74. Referring to FIG- which rotates relative to the plate 42. The

4 URE 4, the support plate 56 has a pair of oppositely angled threaded apertures 80 which receive set screws 82 therein. The set screws 82 bear against the shank of the stud 74 in the groove 78 so as to rigidly hold the stud 74 in place within the aperture 76. The stud 74 also extends through the radially elongated aperture 84 within the cover plate 68.

A pin 86 is fixedly mounted eccentrically within the shank of the stud 74 as shown in FIGURE 4. The outer end of the pin 86 has a ball bearing roller 90 mounted securely thereon. The roller 90 performs the function of a cam follower within the cam 92.

A cam plate 92 is fixed to the addressing machine support frame 38 around the shaft 18. The annular cam plate 92 has a generally circular cam groove 94 therein. As shown in FIGURE 5, the cam groove 94 includes a relatively raised portion generally 96, and relatively lowered portion generally 98. The roller 90 on the pin 86 rides within the groove 94. The cam groove 94 and the cam follower 90 thusly cooperate to provide the desired radial reciprocal movement of the code imprinter 36.

Referring to FIGURES l, 6 and 7, an inking roller, generally 100, is rotatably mounted upon the addressing machine frame 38. A support portion 102 projects from the frame 38 and receives a roller support adapter 104 thereon. The adapter 104 includes a cylindrical depression 106 which is received by the projecting support portion 102 by use of a setscrew 108. The adapter 104 has an outer projecting cylindrical portion 110 which is mounted eccentrically of the center of the cylindrical depression 106, for a purpose to be hereinafter described. A shaft 112 is mounted on the projecting cylinder 110 and an ink roll support 114 is rotatably carried on the shaft 112 by ball bearings 116. The support member carries an annular ink pad 118 thereon. The ink pad 118 which is of known construction, is saturated with ink. As shown in FIGURE 1, the outer periphery of the ink pad 118 is positioned to apply ink to the imprinting pad 69 positioned on the outer portion 58 of the code imprinter support 56.

In operating the code imprinter 36, the relative position of the imprinting pad 60 to the outer periphery of the raised portion 26 of the rotary wheel 16, to the surface of the mailing pieces 12, and also to the outer periphery of the ink roller 100 must be adjusted. This is accomplished by the provision of the eccentric mounting of the pin 86 within the stud 74. When the cam follower 90 is within the cam groove 94, the operator merely adjusts the relative radial position of the pad 60 by placing a screw driver into the slot 120 provided in the outer face of the stud 74. When the proper radial position is attained, the set screws 82 are tightened to firmly hold the stud 74 in proper rotated position relative to the outer periphery of the imprinter pad 60. It is also important that adjustment be provided for the relative position of the ink roller 100 so as to properly apply ink to the pad 60. The eccentric mounting of the roller 100 on the machine frame 38 enables the position of the roller 100 to be adjusted. In a manner similar to the adjustment of the radial position of the code imprinter 36, the adapter 104 is rotated to a position such that the outer periphery of the ink roller 100 applies a proper amount of ink to the inking pad 60 on the outer face of the imprinter support plate 56.

After the necessary adjustments of the ink roller 100 and of the pad 60 have been accomplished, the machine is started. Referring to FIGURE 1, the rotary head 16 causes a label 24 to be applied to the mailing pieces 12. The code imprinter 36 immediately thereafter applies the code, as shown in FIGURE 8. The code is represented by the letters AA located before the address on the mailing piece 12.

Referring to FIGURE 5, the radial movement of the code imprinter 36 during a complete cycle may be understood. From about the place that a label is picked up by a raised portion 26 on the rotary tread until after the label has been applied, the cam follower 90 riding in the cam groove 94 moves the code imprinting support member 56 radially inwardly. This is necessary since the inking pad 60 must pass the station which receives the label without any interference therewith, and the pad 60 moves past the glue roller 34 without having glue applied thereto. During this portion the cam follower 9t) rides in the lower portion 98 of the cam groove 94.

Just prior to the time that the code is imprinted upon a mailing article 12, the cam follower 90 as shown in FIGURE 5, moves radially outwardly along the incline '122 to the intermediate raised portion 98a of the cam groove 94 so that the pad 60 is also moved radially outwardly to apply the code to the mailing article.

After the code has been imprinted on the mailing piece 12, the cam follower 90 again moves slightly outwardly at another incline 124 so that ink will be applied to the pad 60 by the ink roller 100. It is important at this position that the outer periphery of the pad 60 extend beyond the outer periphery of the raised portion 26 of the rotary head so that ink is not applied to the raised portion 26 of the rotary head. Therefore, the raised portion 96 in the outermost position for the cam groove 94. After the ink has been applied to the pad 60, the cam follower moves back inwardly along an incline in the groove 94 so as to withdraw the outer periphery of the pad 60 to a position below the outer periphery of the raised portion 26 so as to avoid interference with the label applying means and with the glue wheel 34.

While in the foregoing there has been provided a detailed description of a particular embodiment of the present invention, it is to be understood that all equivalents obvious to those having skill in the art are to be included within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A machine for imparting addresses and inclicia to sheets, envelopes or the like, said machine comprising an addressing wheel having thereon two projecting segments, each segment having an outer surface thereon, one segment being fixed the other being radially movable, the radially movable segment carrying indicia thereon for transfer to the sheets, envelopes or the like,

means to apply addresses to the fixed segment of the addressing wheel during each cycle thereof,

the fixed segment serving as a presser member to cyclically apply addresses provided in the machine to the sheets, envelopes or the like, means to move the radially movable member to a first position whereby the outer surface of radially movable member projects outwardly beyond the outer surface of the fixed segment to permit inking of said movable segment, means to move the radially movable member to a second position whereby the outer surface of the radially movable member is positioned inwardly of the outer surface of the fixed segment to allow the addresses to be applied to the fixed segment, and

means to move the radially movable member to a third position whereby the outer surface of the radially movable member is substantially in line with the outer surface of the fixed segment to impart the indicia to the sheets, envelopes or the like.

2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 including inking means mounted on the machine adjacent the addressing wheel for applying ink to the radially movable member when said radially movable member is in said first position.

3. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein the means to move the radially movable member to said first position, the means to move the radially movable member to said second position, the means to move the radially movable member to said third position includes a follower member carried by said radially movable member and a cam member secured to the machine and engaging said follower member, said follower member and said cam member cooperating to control the radial movement of the radially movable member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 753,207 2/1904 Pitney l0191 1,196,729 8/1916 Barroll 10l-91 2,012,670 8/1935 Mack l01-9l 2,116,607 5/1938 Shornaker 101--91 2,152,204 3/1939 Moore 10191 2,421,823 6/1947 Allen et a1 101-91 X 3,035,517 5/1962 Bonsch l0l-9l X WILLIAM B. PENN, Primary Examiner. 

